Borehole inspecting and testing device and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A borehole inspection device and method of using the same to measure the condition of the bottom extent of a borehole, the system having a head unit assembly with top and bottom sides and including at least one downwardly extending force sensor configured to measure a reaction force applied to the at least one sensor as it engages a bottom extent of the borehole, the inspection device being configured to be lowered into a borehole and to bring the sensor(s) into contact with the bottom extent wherein continued downward movement of the head unit creates the reaction force on the sensor(s) to determine at least one of a location of an associated debris layer, a bearing capacity of the associated debris layer, the thickness of the associated debris layer, the location of an associated bearing layer and/or the bearing capacity of the associated bearing layer.

This application is a continuation of patent application Ser. No.16/407,962 that was filed on May 9, 2019, which is a continuation ofpatent application Ser. No. 15/233,317 that was filed on Aug. 10, 2016,which claims priority in Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/205,335, filed on Aug. 14, 2015, which is now expired. In addition,patent application Ser. No. 15/233,317 is a Continuation-in-Partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/560,879 that wasfiled on Dec. 4, 2014, which claims the benefit of ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/912,206 that was filed on Dec. 5, 2013, which isnow expired. All of these prior filings are incorporated by referenceherein.

The invention of this application relates to a borehole measuringdevice. More particularly, the invention of this application relates toa measuring device that can be deployed in a borehole to inspect theborehole, in particular, to inspect the shaft bottom and/or side wallsof the borehole and provide fast and reliable information about thequality and bearing capacity of the soils in the borehole.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

McVay et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,502 discloses a wireless apparatus andmethod for analysis of piles which is incorporated by reference hereinfor showing the same. In addition, Mullins et al.—U.S. Pat. No.6,783,273 discloses a method for testing integrity of concrete shaftswhich is also incorporated by reference in this application for showingthe same. Piscsalko et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,551 discloses a remotepile driving analyzer and is incorporated by reference in thisapplication for showing the same. Likins Jr. et al.—U.S. Pat. No.5,978,749 discloses a pile installation recording system and isincorporated by reference in this application for showing the same.Piscsalko et al.—U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,369 discloses a pile sensing deviceand method of using the same and is incorporated by reference in thisapplication for showing the same. Dalton et al.—Publ. No. 2012/0203462discloses a pile installation and monitoring system and method of usingthe same and is incorporated by reference in this application forshowing the same.

Ding—U.S. Pat. No. 8,151,658 discloses an inspection device for theinspection of an interior bottom of a borehole which is incorporated byreference herein for showing the same. Tawfiq et al. U.S. Pat. No.7,187,784 discloses a borescope for drilled shaft inspection and isincorporated by reference herein for showing the same. In addition,Tawfiq et al. U.S. Pat. No. 8,169,477 discloses a digital videoborescope for drilled shaft inspection and is incorporated by referenceherein for showing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has found that the invention of this application worksparticularly well with the drilling and inspection of drilled pileshafts wherein this reference is being used throughout this application.However, this application is not to be limited to drilled pile shaftswherein reference to piles in this application is not to limit the scopeof this application. “Piles” can equally refer to drilled shafts orother deep foundation elements. Application to shallow foundations isalso useful.

Sensing apparatuses have been used in the building and constructionindustry for a number of years. These sensing apparatuses include a widerange of devices used for a wide range of reasons in the field. Thesedevices include sensing devices that are used in connection with theinstallation and use of supporting elements such as piles that are usedto support the weight of superstructures such as but not limited tosupporting the weight of buildings and bridges. As can be appreciated,it is important to both ensure that a supporting foundation element,such as a pile, has been properly formed and installed and thatstructurally it is in proper condition throughout its use in the field.It must also have sufficient geotechnical bearing capacity to supportthe applied load without excessive settlement.

With respect to the installation of piles, it is important that thesestructures be properly constructed so that the pile can support theweight of a building or superstructure. Thus, over the years, systemshave been designed to work in connection with the installation of a pileto ensure that this pile meets the building requirements for thestructure. These include sensing devices that work in connection withthe driving of a pile as is shown in Piscsalko et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,301,551. Again, the Piscsalko patent is incorporated by referenceherein as background material relating to the sensing and driving ofstructural piles. These devices help the workers driving these piles todetermine that the pile has been properly driven within the soil withoutover stressing the pile during the driving process, and assure thesupervising engineer that the pile meets all design requirementsincluding adequate geotechnical bearing capacity.

Similarly, devices are known which are used to monitor the pile after itis driven. This includes the Piscsalko patents which include devicesthat can be used to monitor the pile even after the driving process.Further, Mcvay, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,502 also discloses a deviceused to monitor a pile during or after the driving process is completed.The information produced by the systems can be used to determine thecurrent state of the pile, including the geotechnical bearing capacity,and for determining a defect and/or damage, such as structural damage,that may or may not have incurred in response to any one of a number ofevents including natural disasters.

In addition, it is known in the art that devices can be used to helpdetermine the structural integrity of a poured pile wherein the pouringof the pile and the quality of this pouring can determine the structuralintegrity of the pile once a poured material like concrete has cured.Mullins, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,273 attempts to measure thisintegrity of a poured pile by disclosing a system and method for testingthe integrity of concrete shafts by moving a single thermal sensorarrangement up and down in a logging tube during the curing cycle of theconcrete in the poured pile. Piscsalko U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,369 disclosesan alternative to the Mullins device and discloses a thermal pilesensing device that includes one or more sensor strings, each withmultiple thermal sensors, that are capable of monitoring the entire pilegenerally simultaneously and over a period of time and can create two orthree dimensional images, in real time, based on the curing of thepoured material to assess structural integrity and/or other structuralcharacteristics.

However, while the prior art disclosed above can effectively measure theintegrity of the pile and certain aspects of the borehole during orafter the pouring of the pile, the bearing capacity of the pile is alsoand more usually dependent on the condition of the soil around thelength of the shaft and below the bottom borehole before the pile ispoured. The bearing capacity at the bottom of the borehole relates tocondition of the soil at the bottom of the borehole wherein loose soilhas less bearing capacity than soils that are undisturbed or dense.Loose soil also contributes to undesirable increased settlement of thesupported structure. Thus, it is best to reduce the amount of loose soilat the bottom of the borehole. In view of the difficulties associatedwith viewing the bottom of a borehole that can be many meters below theground surface, and frequently in an opaque slurry condition consistingof suspended clay particles mixed in water, or possibly a liquid polymermixture, it is common practice to employ a so-called “clean-out bucket”to reduce the amount of unsuitable bearing material, such as loose soil,at the shaft bottom. This procedure requires replacing the drillingequipment with the clean-out bucket which is then lowered into theborehole. The success of the bottom cleaning is, however, not assuredand several passes or cycles of this effort may be needed. Theuncertainty can lead to unnecessary effort and, therefore, cost.Throughout the remaining specification of this application, theterminology “debris layer” and/or “debris” will be used to generallydefine the unsuitable bearing material above the bearing layer. Theunsuitable bearing material includes, but is not limited to, loose soil,loose material, soft material and/or general debris. The debris togetherforms the debris layer.

The devices disclosed in the Tawfiq patents and the Ding patent attemptto overcome these problems by making it possible to inspect the bottomof the borehole and reduce the number of cycles and therefore the timeneeded for secondary operations, and/or reduce the required additionalcapacity above the design load to the minimal sufficient margin. Or, atleast to confirm that the secondary cleaning operations were successful.Another such device is the Drilled Shaft Inspection Device (SID)produced by GPE, Inc. More particularly, these systems are configured toonly visually inspect the borehole before the pile is poured. None ofthese systems can be used to estimate the capacity of the bearing layeror assure a satisfactory soil condition at the bottom of the borehole.With respect to the Tawfiq systems, they are complicated and heavysystems that are costly to operate in the field. One such problem isthat the weight of Tawfiq's system requires the use of large cranes orpulley systems to lower the Tawfiq's system into the borehole, andfurther to move and assess multiple locations on the bottom surface.Ding attempts to overcome the heavy system shortcomings in Tawfiq by theuse of a simple system that is lighter and purely mechanical in design.In this respect, Ding's system is essentially like a hand tool that mustbe operated by specially trained operators and operated at or near theborehole by these operators wherein the operator must cautiously worknear an open borehole. In operation, these operators must manually andcarefully lower the Ding system into a borehole without bumping the sidewall since any movement of the bottom plate before it reaches the bottomof the borehole could require the system to be retrieved to the surfaceand reset. In this respect, Ding utilizes manual plate movements tomeasure the depth of the debris layer at the bottom of the borehole, andretrieving the device after each measurement to record the result priorto deploying the device again to measure the next bottom location. WhileDing overcomes some of the complexity, weight and costs associated withthe Tawfiq systems, the Ding system is significantly more laborintensive since each measurement requires the system to be completelyremoved from the borehole and the displacement of the bottom platevisually determined and manually reset. For larger boreholes, this canbe numerous iterations to sufficiently measure the entire bottom of theborehole wherein each iteration requires the device to be completelyremoved from the hole. For deep shafts, the time to retrieve andredeploy is substantial. Yet further, the Ding system is designed onlyto measure the height of debris layer at the bottom of the borehole; itis not capable or configured for other measurements. In fact, it is toolight and thus incapable of measuring load bearing characteristics ofthe soil in the bearing layer. While for other reasons, the othersystems discussed above are also not capable of measuring load bearingcharacteristics. As a result, Ding's attempts to simplify his systemover the prior art ultimately resulted in greatly increased labor costto operate his system. In addition, Ding's simplified system alsoresults in a reduced amount of data that can be obtained since hissystem can only measure the amount of debris. Yet further, Ding'ssimplified system necessitates highly skilled operators to operate hissystem and to operate the system near the open borehole. Thus, whileDing overcomes some of the complexity issues relating to the prior art,it creates new and different problems in the art. Most importantly,however, both the Tawfiq and the Ding devices require skilled personnel,not necessarily skilled in safe construction work practices, to approachand work next to a large borehole, either filled with slurry or empty.This is generally not advisable, and in some instances, not permitted ona construction site. Additionally, these systems only attempt to measurethe debris layer on the bottom of the borehole, but none of the priorart can give any indication of the capacity of the soil of the bearinglayer, or of the condition of the sidewall.

Therefore, there is still a need for a system to inspect and test aborehole's soil strength before a pile is poured that reduces thecomplexity and cost of the system without adversely increasing laborcosts by requiring highly skilled operators at the jobsite for longperiods of time and working near the borehole. Yet further, there is aneed for a system that makes it less costly to inspect and test theborehole bottom and/or sides and reduces the need for, or time requiredby, the secondary excavating system to clean up the debris on the bottomof the borehole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention of this application relates to a borehole inspectiondevice; and more particularly, to a borehole or shaft hole inspectiondevice and system.

More particularly, the invention of this application relates to aborehole inspection that can quickly and accurately measure the debrislayer in a borehole.

According to one aspect of the present invention, provided is a devicewhich produces load-set curves or load versus displacement curves forone or more locations of the shaft bottom and/or sides to give theconstruction professional quick and reliable information about thequality and bearing capacity of the soils underneath the shaft bottomand/or the condition of the side walls of the shaft. Due to uncertaintyin the bottom of shaft condition, a designer often ignores end bearingand relies only on resistance along the side of the shaft when assessingthe bearing capacity of the shaft. By using the device of thisapplication, designers can with more confidence include end bearing intheir design and thus potentially save significant amounts of money inthe overall cost of the pile. This is particularly important when theshaft has to carry end bearing.

More particularly, in one set of embodiments, the device can measuresoil resistance by utilizing a reaction load and this reaction load canbe a substantial reaction load produced by the weight of the alreadypresent and massive drilling equipment.

According to yet another aspect of the invention of this application,this device can measure a reaction load to both determine the depth ofthe debris layer on the surface of the bottom of the borehole bottom andmeasure the load capacity of the bearing layer of the borehole below thedebris layer.

According to a further aspect of the invention of this application, thedevice can measure one or more conditions of the side of the boreholewherein the designer can with more confidence design for bearingcapacities and thus potentially save more money by justifiably reducingthe safety margin (by either decreasing the assumed ultimate bearingcapacity or increasing the design load since in either case the actualcapacity is then better known).

According to even yet another aspect of the invention of thisapplication, the device can use the weight of the drilling equipment asa reaction load. In fact, the device is conceived in such a way that itallows quick connection to the drilling equipment, which is alreadypresent on site to drill the foundation hole, and in that way iteliminates the need for setting up cumbersome additional equipment andreduces to a minimum any time delays between the end of the drillingprocess and the beginning of concrete casting. Yet further, the deviceof this application is therefore built such that it can be handled bythe contractors' skilled personnel who are trained to be around aborehole and allow the analyzers of the data to supervise the operationand analyze the data without ever going near the borehole, maybe as faraway as in their office.

According to a further aspect of the invention of this application, thedevice can include multiple sensors and these multiple sensors candetect and test more than one characteristic of the borehole.

According to another aspect of the invention of this application, thisdevice can be configured to quickly connect to the drilling equipmentwherein separate and independent lowering systems are not requiredthereby eliminating the need for setting up cumbersome additionalequipment and reducing to a minimum any time delays between the end ofthe drilling process and the beginning of concrete casting.

According to yet another aspect of the invention of this application,the device can include both force and displacement sensors therebymeasuring both the amount of debris and/or the bearing capacity of thebearing layer of the borehole bottom and/or sides.

According to yet other aspects of the present invention, the device caninclude the sensing on a device head that is lowered into the boreholeand a readout system spaced from the head that can be in communicationwith the device head (by wired, wireless, and/or underwater wirelesssystems) that can display real time data viewable by the operator of thedevice, personnel on site and/or personnel off site thereby preventingthe system from being removed from the borehole for each location testedon the borehole bottom, thus improving efficiency and reducing the timerequired for testing.

According to even yet other aspects of the invention, the testing devicecan be joined relative to a cleanout bucket thereby creating acombination debris cleaning and layer testing device.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, provided is a devicethat can measure and determine at one or more points simultaneously:

-   -   The thickness of the debris layer and its strength    -   The strength of the bearing layer below the debris layer    -   The elastic modulus of the bearing layer    -   The uniformity of the debris layer and/or the bearing layer    -   The strength and/or condition of the sides of the borehole

These and other objects, aspects, features, advantages and developmentsof the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon areading of the Detailed Description of the invention set forth belowtaken together with the drawings which will be described in the nextsection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement ofparts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail andillustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view a prior art cleanout bucket utilized toclean the bottom surface of a borehole;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view the prior art cleanout bucket shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken at the bottom of a borehole andwhich shows an embodiment of the invention of this application at a setor initial engagement point;

FIG. 3A is an elevational view taken at the bottom of a borehole andwhich shows an embodiment of the invention of this application at thebottom of the borehole as sensors begin to engage the bearing layer;

FIG. 3B is an elevational view taken at the bottom of a borehole andwhich shows an embodiment of the invention of this application at thebottom of the borehole as sensors fully engage the bearing layer;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing displacement and force relationship for asensor of the device of this application;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken at the bottom of a borehole andwhich shows another embodiment of the invention of this application;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view which shows yet another embodiment of theinvention of this application;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view which shows a further embodiment of theinvention of this application;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view which shows yet a further embodiment ofthe invention of this application;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of a plate that can be used with embodiments ofthis application;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of yet another embodiment of thisapplication configured to also measure the side walls before the pile ispoured;

FIG. 11 shows an elevational view of yet a further embodiment of thisapplication including a lateral bearing measurement feature to produce aload versus displacement curve for the borehole side wall;

FIG. 12 shows an elevational view, partially sectioned, of yet a furtherset of embodiments of this application including a borehole inspectingand testing device joined relative to a cleanout bucket shown in aretracted condition;

FIG. 13 shows an elevational view, partially sectioned, of the boreholeinspecting and testing device shown in FIG. 12 in a measurementcondition; and,

FIG. 14 shows a bottom view of the borehole inspecting and testingdevice shown in FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating preferred and alternative embodiments of the inventiononly and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIGS. 1 and 2 show aprior art clean out bucket CB which includes a mounting arrangement ARconfigured to selectively secure the bucket to a drilling mast,drillstem or Kelly bar (not shown in these figures). These masts have asquare cross-sectional configuration wherein the mounting arrangementcan be sized to slide over the mast and includes a locking features LFto secure the bucket relative to the mast. However, any attachmentconfiguration could be used without detracting from the invention ofthis application. By including a square configuration, the mast canimpart a rotational force on the bucket. The bucket further includes oneor more side walls BW and a bottom B having a blade and a blade opening(both not shown). In operation the bucket is rotated such that the bladedirects debris (which includes the unsuitable bearing materialincluding, but is not limited to, loose soil, loose material, softmaterial and/or general debris) through the blade opening into theinterior of the bucket. The bucket's function is to remove any debris onthe bottom of the borehole to provide a clean bearing layer surface inthe borehole. If the borehole is substantially larger than the diameterof the bucket, the operator can move the bucket about the boreholebottom to clean all or most of the borehole bottom. Removing the“debris” contributes to increased end bearing and reduced settlement ofthe supported structure.

With reference to FIG. 3, shown is a borehole inspection and testingdevice 10 in a borehole BH. Borehole BH has a side wall SW extendingbetween a top opening O in a ground layer G and a bottom extent BE.Bottom extent BE defines the borehole bottom referenced above andincludes both a debris layer DL and a bearing layer BL. As can beappreciated, both layers in the bottom extent can be much thicker thanshown wherein this drawing is only intended to be a generalrepresentation of these layers for the purpose of describing theinvention of this application. Yet further, the bearing layer can extendessentially indefinitely into the ground. As discussed more above, dueto its loose conditions, the debris layer has much less load bearingcapacity and contributes to undesirable excessive settlement of thesupported structure, wherein it is desired to minimize this layer andremove or eliminate as much debris as possible. Conversely, the bearinglayer has a much greater bearing capacity; however, there are still manyfactors that impact the bearing capacity of the bearing layer.Accordingly, even though it is known that the bearing capacity of thebearing layer is greater than that of the debris layer, the exactbearing capacity is not known and cannot be determined by prior artsystems.

FIG. 3 further shows inspection and testing device 10 in borehole BH.Device 10 includes a downhole testing head unit or head assembly 12along with one or more surface control and/or display unit(s) 14 thatcan be in direct communication with testing unit 12 by way of one ormore communication lines that will be discussed more below. Yet further,control and/or display unit 14 could be an integral part of the overalldevice which is lowered into the borehole as part of the entire system,preprogrammed to perform the required testing, and guided by electronicsensors. Testing unit 12 includes a head plate or assembly 16 having atop 20 and a bottom 22. Plate 16 further includes sides 30-33 (33 notshown). However, the configuration shown in these drawings is notintended to limit the invention of this application wherein plate 16 canbe a wide range of shapes and sizes; including a device having acylindrical configuration. In one embodiment, plate 16 is about 18inches in diameter and would be operated to take several readings aroundthe borehole bottom for larger boreholes.

Extending from top side 20 is a mounting arrangement 40 that is shapedto receive a Kelly bar KB or drillstem. Mounting arrangement 40 includesa locking bar 42 to lock unit 12 relative to the bar KB and maintain theengagement between the bar and the device. Plate or assembly 16 caninclude one or more holes or openings 46 that can allow unit 12 to morefreely descend through standing water in the borehole. However, it mustbe understood that the invention of this application is not to belimited to the support structures shown and described in thisapplication wherein any type of support structure could be used withoutdetracting from the invention of this application including, but is notlimited to, round drill stems, with or without a Kelly bar, and/ordedicated support structures.

Unit 12 can include one or more force sensors, shown in this embodimentare two force sensors 50 and 52 extending out of bottom 22. Forcesensors 50 and 52 can include any mechanism or system known in the artor the sensor art to determine an applied load. This can include, but isnot limited to, strain sensors or gauges, pressure sensors or gauges,such as gauges 54 and 56, respectively, for sensors 50 and 52. Thesesensors are configured to measure, force or strain on the sensors thatcan be used to determine layer depth locations, bearing capacity of thedebris layer, the thickness of the debris layer, depth location of thebearing layer and/or the bearing capacity of the bearing layer, whichwill be disclosed more below. While sensors, such as sensors 50 and 52,are shown and described as “cone sensors,” these sensors can have a widerange of configurations without detracting from the invention of thisapplication including, but not limited to, cone shapes, conical shapes,semi-conical shapes, flat bottomed shapes, spherical bottom shapes andothers. In addition, these various shapes can have differentcross-sectional sizes and/or configurations including different lengthswithout detracting from the invention of this application.

Unit 12 can further include one or more displacement sensors, such asthe two sensors 60 and 62 shown, which will also be discussed morebelow. As will be discussed more below, the displacement sensors canwork in combination with the force sensors to measure the physicalcharacteristics of the borehole bottom. In this set of embodiments,sensors 60 and 62 are configured to move relative to plate 16 throughopenings 64-65, respectively. Unit 12 and/or sensors 60 and 62 caninclude a displacement sensor that can measure the movement of sensors60 and 62 relative to head unit 12 and/or any other components of thesystem. Further, sensors 60 and 62 are biased downwardly and can bebiased by any mechanical system known in the art. The biasing caninclude, but is not limited to weights 66, springs (not shown), fluidsand the like for the biasing of these sensors downwardly. In order tohelp prevent sensors 60 and 62 from penetrating the debris layer, thesesensors can include bottom plate units 68 and 69, respectively.

In operation, head unit 12 and/or system 10 can be lowered into boreholeBH. The unit and/or system can be lowered by way of any system or deviceknown in the art including, but not limited to, the borehole drillingequipment by way of Kelley bar KB and/or a dedicated lifting device,which will be discussed more below. Further, the lowering of the systemcan be monitored by a depth measuring system 63. Depth measuring system63 can be any depth measuring system known in the art to measuredownward displacement. The system can then be lowered until a reactionforce is measured on the one or more of the sensors. This can bedisplacement of one or more of the displacement sensors and/or a forcereading on one or more of the force sensors of the system. The forcesensors are configured to relatively easily penetrate through the debrislayer, the displacement sensors are configured to rest on top of thedebris layer. Thus, the force sensor will penetrate the debris layer andthe displacement sensors will not. In one set of embodiments, thedisplacement of the displacement sensors can be used to measure thedepth of the debris layers. Further, the reaction force on the forcesensors can be utilized to determine the bearing capacity, or lackthereof, of the debris layer. The downward movement is continued untilthe force sensors engage the bearing layer. As will be discussed morebelow, the change in force readings on the force sensors can be used todetermine the location of the bearing layer. In this respect, the forcereading(s) on the force sensors will change significantly when the forcesensors transition into the bearing layer. This, in combination with thedisplacement sensors, can measure the thickness and/or depth of thedebris layer. In accordance with another embodiment, the force sensorsalone can measure debris layer depth by monitoring force readings incombination depth measuring system 63.

In one embodiment, the one or more force sensors can be three or moreforce sensors. The penetration force can be measured in any wayincluding, but not limited to, electronically, hydraulically and/orpneumatically, which includes, but is not limited to, by strain sensors.The hydraulic or pneumatic pressure can be configured to be sensed atthe surface which would improve the ruggedness of the device, but couldbe sensed anywhere along the hydraulic supply lines, including withinthe borehole at or near plate 16. Semiconductor strain gages can also beused, providing reliable strain measurements even if the strains aresmall (allowing for large range of load measurements). Calibrated forcesensors could also be used and/or one or more sensors having differentconfigurations could be used. For example, one set of force sensorscould be configured to measure the lower forces of the debris layerwhile another set could be configured to measure the larger loads of thebearing layer. For the displacement sensors and/or depth measurementsystem, the displacement could be measured by any way known in the artincluding, but not limited to, hydraulically, LVDT, potentiometer,ultrasonic, radar, laser, RF, wirelessly by either sonic waves or lasertechnology relative to the top of the borehole or otherwise. Thedisplacement could be measured as the distance between the plate 16 andbottom plates 68 and 69. Sensors 60 and 62 also can be weighted and/orspring loaded wherein, in a preferred embodiment, they are lightlyweighted with weights 66 so as to keep the bottom plates in contact withthe top of the debris of debris layer DL, but allow resistance, but freemovement.

All load measurements (from direct force measurements, hydraulicpressure, pneumatic pressure and/or strain measurements converted toforce) could be displayed against this displacement measurement, in realtime. Ideally one would pair one load transducer display with a nearbydisplacement measurement, although the average load and averagedisplacement would also provide a meaningful result. Individualmeasurements would provide information about the variability of thebottom and/or bottom surface angles. However, the measurements could beeasily repeated at various locations around the bottom of the sometimesvery large shaft diameter. Yet further, other sensors, such as one ormore accelerometers or tilt sensors (not shown) could be utilized tomeasure surface angles.

These sensors, and others, can be in communication with workers on thesurface operating the equipment by one or more communication linesbetween head unit 12 and control unit 14. These communication lines canutilize any technology known in the art and new technology tocommunicate data to the surface. This can include, but is not limitedto, hydraulic lines, electrical lines, data lines, fiber optics, coaxcable, USB, HDMI, Ethernet, CAT 5, CAT 5e, CAT 6, serial cables,parallel cables, wireless technology, radio frequency communication,sonar, and/or optical communication. The control system canalternatively be located at or near plate/assembly 16 and operate fromwithin the borehole. As can be appreciated, by utilizing a communicationsystem to transfer data to the surface allows the data to be quicklyaccessed by the workers and prevents the need to retrieve the systemfrom the borehole after each reading. Yet further, the control unit 14can be a computing system and can be coupled to one or more othercomputing systems that can be used, for example, to control the testingoperations, track data, store data, analyze data and/or transmit dataincluding transmissions to off-site remote locations. Yet further, thecomputing system can include one or more local computing systems at thejobsite or borehole, including within the borehole, such as unit 14, andone or more computing systems that are off site (not shown), but incommunication with unit 14. Even yet further, a wide range of operatingsystems can be used by workers and/or engineers and these systems can beany system known in the art including, local systems, network systems,application software, cloud based system and/or a blend of thesesystems. By using systems, such as a cloud based system, manyindividuals can monitor and/or evaluate data in real time. As a result,engineers can monitor more than one testing operation and can do soeither at the jobsite and/or at a remote location. Further, theoperation unit can be separate from the data collection unit. Yetfurther, this can allow the contractor to operate the system whileallowing an engineer to monitor the operation at any desired location.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, communication lines 70-73 are used totransfer signals and/or data to unit 14. These lines can be the samelines and/or different lines. For example, one or more lines could beelectrical lines to transfer data and other lines could be hydrauliclines to transfer pressure and/or pulses. In the embodiments shown inthese figures, line 70 is joined between sensor 50 and control unit 14,line 71 is joined between sensor 60 and control unit 14, line 72 isjoined between sensor 52 and control unit 14, and line 73 is joinedbetween sensor 62 and control unit 14. Unit 14 can be any computingsystem known in the art and can include a data storage and/or a displaydevice, potentially monitored remotely will allow the engineer to makean immediate decision as any necessary cleaning or additional drillingnecessary to completing the shaft. Unit 14 can also serve as a datacollector to supplement field installation logs and for productiondocumentation.

In operation, the drillstem or Kelly bar KB can be used to lower unit 12into borehole BH and to direct the device into engagement with bottomextent BE. Further, Kelly bar KB, can be used to provide the applicationload to unit 12 and/or can be used to determine head depth. As thedevice approaches bottom BE, sensors 60 and 62 can be used to detect anengagement with debris layer DL, as is shown in FIG. 3. This detectioncan be used to mark the location or depth of the top surface of thedebris layer and, therefore, provide a reference for the measurement ofthe thickness of any debris. At the same time it can also create a baseor reference point for the remaining data readings. As the device isurged further downwardly, as is shown in FIG. 3A, sensors 60 and 62 willremain on top of the debris layer while sensors 50 and 52 will penetratethe debris layer. As a result, in at least one embodiment, sensors 60and 62 can measure displacement while sensors 50 and 52 measure theforce or load applied in any layer on the bottom of the borehole. Thiscan be used to create a displacement and force relationship and/or loadversus displacement curves and the basis for the calculation of thesoil's elastic modulus. Bottom plates 68 and 69 help maintain sensors 60and 62 on the top of the debris layer and further downward movementresults in sensors 60 and 62 moving relative to head plate 16 whereinthis displacement can be measured. Even though force sensors 50 and 52are moving through the debris layer, they can still measure theresistance, load, force or strain in this movement to generate a loadbearing data curve of force versus displacement for this layer. As unit12 is moved further into the borehole, as is shown in FIG. 3B, sensors50 and 52 will e engage bearing layer BL as is shown in FIG. 3B. Whenthis occurs, the load applied to sensors 50 and 52 will markedlyincrease wherein these sensors can be used to determine when thesesensors engage the bearing layer and the bearing location or depth ofthe bearing layer can be calculated or determined. See FIG. 4. In thisrespect, the load on these sensors will increase in the bearing layer asthey encounter denser materials of increased bearing capacity. Thus,when they encounter the bearing layer, the readings of force and/orstrain on sensors 50 and 52 will increase. At this point, thedisplacement of the sensors 60 and 62 between the set point (FIG. 3) (orinitial top of debris layer) and the bearing point (FIG. 3B) can be usedto determine the thickness and/or depth of the debris layer. Again, asstated above, while only two sets of two sensors are shown in thefigures, more or less sensors could be used without detracting from theinvention of this application.

In greater detail and with special reference to FIG. 4, as the unit 12is lowered into the borehole, the force on sensors 50 and 52 is zero andremains zero until unit 12 reaches depth 80 as is shown in FIG. 3. Then,continued downward movement will increase the force on force sensors 50and 52 wherein sensors 50 and 52 can be used, in some embodiments, todetermine the position of debris layer DL and/or bearing layer BL. Theforces on sensors 50 and 52 remain low as sensors 50 and 52 move throughthe debris layer, but could fluctuate based on the debris that is on thebottom of the borehole. Continued downward movement will continue toread lower force levels until 12 reaches depth 82 as is shown in FIG.3A. At this point, the forces on sensors 50 and 52 will begin to riserapidly as they engage bottom layer BL in view of the greater density ofbearing layer BL. Again, reaching this depth, which can be at least inpart recorded by sensors 60 and 62, will cause the sharp increase inforces on sensors 50 and 52 and this sharp increase also could be usedto determine the depth and/or thickness of the debris layer along withthe location of the bearing layer. However, as is discussed above (andwill be discussed more below), separate sensing systems could be usedfor determining the location of the layers. It should be appreciatedthat sensors 50 and 52 should be sufficiently long to penetrate into thebearing layer BL prior to the unit 12 bottom reaching the top of thedebris layer DL. Then, downward movement of unit 12 can be continueduntil the forces stabilize, shown as depth 84 in FIG. 3B. When thisoccurs, the bearing capacity of the bearing layer can be determined.Thus, system 10 can accurately measure the depth location of the top ofthe debris layer, the thickness of the debris layer, the bearingcapacity of the debris layer, the depth location of the top of thebearing layer and the capacity of the bearing layer. In accordance withone set of embodiments, sensors 60 and 62 can be configured to determineboth the top extent of the debris layer and the thickness of the debrislayer while force sensors 50 and 52 measure the bearing capacity of thedebris layer, the bearing capacity of the bearing layer and the topextent of the bearing layer.

Yet further, the measurements can be made at multiple locations aroundthe bottom of the borehole with simple lateral repositioning of unit 12and without removing unit 12 from the borehole. In addition, thesemeasurements can be analyzed by any operator either at the jobsite or ata remote location. Further yet, this data can be analyzed and stored foroperational uses, quality assurance uses and other uses. These movementscan be guided by electronic sensors such as gyros, GPS, etc.Additionally, the control system may be part of the mechanical systemand operate automatically from within the borehole. This automaticsystem could include sensors to guide the positioning and movementwithin the borehole as well as automatically perform the desired testand store all relevant data for later analysis.

With reference to FIGS. 5-14, examples of yet other embodiments areshown. In these figures, like reference numbers are utilized for similarstructures in the interest of brevity and system already discussed aboveare not discussed in reference to these figures in the interest ofbrevity. These figures are merely intended to show examples arealternative embodiments and can include any feature, function, system,structure and/or component discussed above. Thus, this is not to beinterpreted to limit these embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows a head unit 100 that includes a two piece plate design.This design includes a head plate/assembly 112 and secondary plate orassembly 120. In this embodiment, secondary plate 120 can be configuredto both determine the location of the debris and bearing layers and alsodetermine capacities. Secondary plate 120 is configured to move relativeto plate 112 and this relative movement can be tracked by sensor 60 suchit can also be used to measure the location of the debris layer and thedepth and/or thickness of the debris layer. In addition, plate 120 caninclude sensors 130 and 132 to help determine the consistency of thedebris layer or confirm the readings of sensors 50, 52 (only one shownin this figure) that can operate as described above.

FIG. 6 shows a head unit 200 that includes a different two piece design.This design includes a head plate/assembly 212 and a secondary plate orassembly 220. In this embodiment, secondary plate 220 is configured toboth determine the depth location of the layers and also determinecapacities. Yet further, this embodiment, and the other embodiments ofthis application, can be configured such that the system operates by wayof its own weight W. Weight W can be produced by any mechanismincluding, but not limited to, the weight of the head assembly itself, asecondary weight 222 and/or a secondary spring arrangement 224.Secondary plate 220 can be configured to move relative to plate 212 suchthat it can operate based on its own weight W and wherein it can also beused to measure the location of the debris layer and the depth and/orthickness of the debris layer. As a result, the system could be loweredby the Kelly Bar or could be lowered by any other means, including butnot limited to, a cable connected to a crane, crane-like system orpulley system. In one embodiment, weight W is greater than approximately50 pounds. In another embodiment, the weight is between approximately100 and 300 pounds. In a preferred format weight W is approximately 150pounds. However, it should be noted that while these weights (and rangesof weights) may be preferred, the invention of this application is notlimited to these weights and/or ranges. Thus, when the probes penetrate,and in view of the known weight W, this data can be used to determinebearing capacity, or at least to determine the depth and/or thickness ofthe debris layer. In addition, plate 220 includes one or more sensors230 and 232 to determine both the consistency of the debris layer andthe bearing capacities as discussed above in greater detail in view ofthe know weight W. The movement of secondary plate 220 relative toprimary plate 212 can be tracked for layer location and/or thickness. Inaddition, further downward movement of the unit forces the plates 212and 220 together (not shown) to allow additional readings, such as theuse of sensors 230 and 232 to determine the bearing capacity of thebearing layer.

FIG. 7 shows a head unit 300 that includes a single plate design. Thisdesign includes a head plate/assembly 312 that includes one or moresensors 50, 52 that can operate as described above. However, in thisembodiment, location and/or depth can be determined by one or moreelectronic sensors in sensor unit 320. Sensor unit 320 can work inconnection with other systems described in this invention (including,but not limited to sensors 60/62) and can be used to help determine thelocation of the bottom of the borehole. Sensor unit 320 can be anysensor capable of detecting an object, surface or plane including, butnot limited to sonar, radar, lasers and/or optical technologies. Yetfurther, these sensors alone, or along with others could be utilized todetermine if the borehole is vertical. Even yet further, depth could bemeasured using a sensor detecting the pressure of the fluid, and smallchanges of fluid pressure then converted to relative displacements. Yeteven further, sensor unit 320 could include multiple sensors to helpaccount for differences in fluid densities at different depths forboreholes that are filled with a borehole fluid to help maintain theintegrity of the borehole between drilling and filling.

FIG. 8 shows a head unit 400 that is being used to illustrate that theprobes or sensors can include different configurations. In this respect,unit 400 includes a head plate 412 with both probes 50, 52 described ingreater detail above and one or more flat bottomed probe(s) 420. Thisembodiment can include other sensor configuration described in thisapplication and can further improve the measuring accuracies of thedevice. More particularly, one or more sensors of this application canbe configured for a single function wherein multiple sensors are usedfor all needed functions. In this embodiment, probes 420 can beconfigured to only determine the bearing capacities of the layers inthat the flat bottom will reduce penetration and can make it easier tocalculate bearing forces. Unit 400 can further include one or moredisplacement sensors, such as sensors 60 and 62, described above ingreater detail.

With reference to FIG. 9, shown is a displacement plate 460 that can beused to replace bottom plate units 68 and 69 of sensors 60 and 62,respectively of any embodiment of this application. Replacing plateunits 68 and 69 with one or more movement plates 460 can increase thesurface area for the base of the displacement sensors to help preventthe penetration of sensors into the debris layer. This can provide formore accurate depth measurement, or at least can be used to average thedepth measurement of the thickness of the debris layer. In that plate460 moves with the depth sensors, the plate can include openings 470 and472 to allow sensors 50 and 52 to pass therethrough so that plate 460can move relative to sensors 50 and 52. Plate 460, along with plateunits 68/69 described above, can include one or more holes or openings480 of any size to help lower the plate and the overall unit intostanding water and/or borehole fluids in the borehole. Plate 460 caninclude one or more attachment arrangements 482 to secure plate 460relative to the displacement sensors, such as displacement sensors 60and 62. However, while two attachment locations are shown, this is notrequired.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, the devices and systems of thisapplication can further include a wide range of other sensors. Theseother sensor(s) can be configured to measure the layers discussed aboveand/or other characteristics of the borehole. As is shown in FIG. 10, aborehole measuring device 500 can include a plate unit assembly 510 thatalso includes one or more side sensor(s) 520. Essentially, side sensorscan be spaced circumferentially about the plate to measure the conditionof side wall SW and/or the location of the side wall. The number of sidesensors can be based on the “resolution” that is desired. In thisrespect, the more sensors circumferentially positioned about plate 510can increase the amount of side wall that can be accurately measured.Yet further, any number of sensor(s) 520 could be positioned centrallyand could be configured to scan 360 degrees and/or rotate 360 degrees toscan side wall SW. In one embodiment, there are between about 6 and 8sensors 520 spaced about the plate, preferably equidistantly about thecentral axis of the plate. Again these additional sensors can be used incombination with any embodiment of this application and, for example,device 500 can include one or more laterally facing pressure sensors 50,52 that can operate as described above. As discussed above, sensors 520could include multiple sensors at each location (or at least at one ofthe locations) to help account for, or calculate for, differences influid densities at different depths for boreholes that are filled with aborehole fluid to help maintain the integrity of the borehole betweendrilling and filling. While all of the sensors could have this feature,one embodiment includes at least one sensor with the dual sensor featurethat can be used to determine the fluid density and the remaining sensorcan utilize this data.

With special reference to FIG. 11, plate or unit 510 discussed above canalso include one or more different types of sensors that are laterallypositioned including, but not limited to, laterally facing sensors 50 xand 52 x that are actuateable laterally so that they can be forcedeither against or into the side wall to determine one or more physicalcharacteristics of the side wall(s). These sensors can be pushed againstthe side wall to determine location and/or bearing capacity. Further,this embodiment, and others can utilize downward electronic sensor(s)320, discussed above, for depth measurement. As a result, sensors 320and 520 discussed above in relation to FIG. 10 can be used to measurethe shape, condition and locations of the layers and side walls, whilesensors 50 and 52 can measure bearing capacities of the bottom layersand sensors 50 x and 52 x can measure bearing capacities of the sidewall. As with sensors 320, sensors 520 can be any sensors configured todetermine surface geometries including, but not limited to sonar, radar,lasers and/or optical technologies.

Yet further, the force sensors 50, 52, 50 x and/or 52 x could bereplaced by a plate which measures an average soil resistance over awider area. Further, the device can also record a dynamic load test atvarying impact speeds, by using an impact weight against a bearing plateon the drillstem. Yet further, the units of this application can includean inclinometer, accelerometer(s), and/or tilt meter to determine theangle or pitch of the bottom of the borehole. This can include, but isnot limited to, the use of sensors 50, 52, 60 and/or 62 operatedindependently of one another to determine displacement or pressuredifferences that can be used to calculate pitch. As mentioned above, thenumber of sensors can depend on many factors including desiredaccuracies, costs and the use of the sensors wherein determination ofcharacteristics, such as pitch, could necessitate more sensors.Accordingly, while it may be preferred that three sensors be used, it isnot required. Yet further, the system can utilize other technologies,such as GPS, that can be used to locate and mark which hole in theconstruction site is being tested. This data can be utilized to organizetest data for future use or review. The GPS can be any position locatingsystem such as satellite based positioning systems and jobsite basedlocation systems. These other sensors, such as the side sensors notedabove, can also be used to determine the position of the unit within theboreholes, such as whether the device is centered within the oneborehole. Yet further, gyroscopic and/or geomagnetic based systems canbe utilized to track movement of the systems within the borehole.

Yet further, as is noted above, the borehole inspection and testingdevices of this application could be joined to a wide range of supportstructures and these even include a dedicated support system wherein theinspection and testing device could be left in place for permanentpressure monitoring, which is particularly useful in conjunction withhydraulic pressure measurement systems which have the ability ofaccurately sensing the pressures applied by a structure to thefoundation. In addition, the inspection and testing devices of thisapplication could be used without a Kelly bar or drill stems withoutdetracting from the invention of this application. Yet further, theinspection and testing device can also be configured to extract samplesof the debris/bearing layer. This can be done with a wide range ofsystems including, but not limited to, one or more hollow penetrometers(not shown).

With reference to FIGS. 12-14, shown is a borehole inspection andtesting device 600 having a head unit 610 that is joined relative to acleanout bucket 612. This particular embodiment allows a single deviceto both remove debris from the bottom of the borehole and test thelayers at bottom of the borehole as are discussed in greater detailabove. As can be appreciated, this can further streamline the process ofpreparing and testing the borehole bottom by eliminating change overtimes between the use of the cleanout bucket and the inspection andtesting devices of this application.

In greater detail, system 600 can include an annular extension ring 620that can move relative to cleanout bucket 612. Ring 620 can include oneor more sensor similar to one or more of the sensors discussed ingreater detail above with respect to any of the disclosed embodiments.In the particular example shown, head unit 610 can include one or moreforce sensors 650 and 652 that can be similar to force sensors 50 and 52discussed in greater detail above and/or one or more displacementsensors 660 and 662 that can be similar to displacement sensors 60 and62 also discussed in greater detail above. While this example includes afour sensor arrangement, any number of sensors could be used withoutdetracting from the invention of this application. Yet further, evenside wall sensors could be utilized in this embodiment. And, the sidewall sensors could be separate from extension ring 620.

Head unit 610 can further include a support ring 630 that can be joinedto extension ring 620 by one or more actuation devices 632 that allowring 620 and sensors 650, 652, 660, 662 to move relative to support ring630 and bucket 612 along axis 636. Actuation devices 632 can be anyactuation devices including, but not limited to, hydraulic and/orpneumatic cylinders. System 600 can further include a shieldingapparatus 638 to protect head unit 610. This is particularly importantwhen device 600 is lowered into borehole O and during the operation ofthe cleanout bucket. The shielding apparatus can include an upper shield640 that can be formed by a top wall 642 and a side wall 644. In theembodiment shown, the side wall is a single cylindrical side wall, butthis is not required. In addition, shielding apparatus can furtherinclude a bottom protective ring 646. Bottom protection ring 646 can bejoined to side wall 644 or to the head unit. Further, ring 646 caninclude ring openings 648 that allow the sensors to retract intoshielding apparatus 638 when the testing unit is not in use there byfurther protecting the equipment of the testing unit.

In operation, head unit can moves between a retracted position 668 as isshown in FIG. 12, wherein head unit 610 and the sensors are spaced froma working end 670 of bucket 612. This allows bucket 612 to be utilizedto remove debris from the borehole without damaging the head unit.

FIG. 13 shows system 600 in an extended position 669 wherein system 600can measure the bottom layers of the boreholes as is discussed ingreater detail above. Further, actuators 632 can be utilized to producethe downward force and/or movement of the sensors for the testing of theborehole layers.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construedas including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A borehole inspection device to measure thecondition of a bottom extent of a borehole including measuring a debrislayer depth of a debris layer on a bottom extent of a borehole and/or abearing layer load capacity of a bearing layer of the material below thedebris layer, the inspection device comprising a head unit assemblyconfigured to be operably joined to an associated lowering unit to lowerthe head unit assembly into an associated borehole, at least one set oftest data being collected concerning one or more physicalcharacteristics of the associated bottom extent during a data collectionphase, the head unit assembly having a top side and a generally oppositebottom side, the bottom side facing the associated bottom extent of theassociated borehole, the head unit assembly further including aninternal measurement system and a sensor arrangement, the sensorarrangement including at least one bottom sensor facing downwardly andgenerally parallel to the head axis wherein the second sensorarrangement collects relating to one or more conditions of theassociated bottom of the associated borehole, the at least one bottomsensor of the second sensor arrangement allowing the head unit assemblyto be moved during at least a portion of the data collection phase andcollect the test data during the at least a portion of the datacollection phase.
 23. The borehole inspection device of claim 22 whereinthe head unit assembly includes a wireless operating system.
 24. Theborehole inspection device of claim 23 wherein the system furtherincludes a surface unit outside of the associated borehole during thedata collection phase and the wireless operating system includes awireless communication system between the head unit assembly and thesurface unit allowing wireless communication between the surface unitand the head unit assembly during the data collection phase.
 25. Theborehole inspection device of claim 23 wherein the wireless operatingsystem includes the head unit assembly with the internal measurementsystem being a self-contained operating system having an internal powersupply and a data store, the data store providing at least one ofcommands for the operation of the head unit assembly during the datacollection phase and data storage for the storage of the at least oneset of test data during the data collection phase.
 26. The boreholeinspection device of claim 25 wherein the system further includes asurface unit outside of the associated borehole and the wirelessoperating system further includes a data communication arrangement tocommunicate at least one command and the test data during a datatransmission phase that is at least one of before and after the datacollection phase.
 27. The borehole inspection device of claim 22 whereinthe at least one bottom sensor includes at least one of a ultrasonic,sonar, radar, laser, RF, and optical technologies.
 28. The boreholeinspection device of claim 22 wherein the at least one bottom sensorincludes a plurality of bottom sensors.
 29. The borehole inspectiondevice of claim 22 wherein the at least one bottom sensor is an at leastone first bottom sensor, the borehole inspection device furtherincluding at least one second bottom sensor, the at least one secondbottom sensor including at least one downwardly extending force sensorextending downwardly relatively to the bottom side and having a distalend extending toward the associated bottom extent, the at least onedownwardly extending force sensor configured to measure a reaction forceapplied to the at least one sensor as it engages the associated bottomextent of the associated borehole, the borehole inspection device beingconfigured to bring the at least one downwardly extending force sensorinto contact with the associated bottom extent of the associatedborehole, continued downward movement of the head unit creating thereaction force on the least one downwardly extending force sensor todetermine at least one of a location of an associated debris layer, abearing capacity of the associated debris layer, the thickness of theassociated debris layer, the location of an associated bearing layerand/or the bearing capacity of the associated bearing layer.
 30. Theborehole inspection device of claim 29 wherein the at least onedownwardly facing force sensor includes at least one of a strain sensorand a pressure sensor.
 31. The borehole inspection device of claim 29wherein each of the at least one downwardly facing force sensor includesa base end and a downwardly facing distal end, the distal end having aconical end configuration.
 32. The borehole inspection device of claim29 wherein the at least one second bottom sensor further includes atleast one displacement sensor, the at least one displacement sensorconfigured to move relative to the head unit and measure downwarddisplacement of the device after the at least one displacement sensorengages the associated bottom extent of the associated borehole.
 33. Theborehole inspection device of claim 32 wherein the at least onedisplacement sensor measures a distance between the head unit and theassociated bottom extent.
 34. The borehole inspection device of claim 29wherein the associated lowering unit is an associated Kelley bar and thesystem further including a selectively securing mounting arrangement tosecure the head unit to the associated Kelley bar.
 35. The boreholeinspection device of claim 22 wherein that at least one set of test dataincludes a first set of test data and a second set of test data, thesensor arrangement further including a plurality of side sensors facingradially outwardly of a head axis that is generally parallel to at leasta portion of an associated borehole axis and collecting a second set ofdata relating to one or more conditions of an associated sidewall of theassociated borehole, the plurality of side sensors allowing the headunit to be moved during the data collection phase and collect the secondset of data during at least a portion of the data collection phase. 36.The borehole inspection device of claim 35 wherein the boreholeinspection device includes a depth system to measure a head unit depthwithin the associated borehole.
 37. The borehole inspection device ofclaim 36 wherein the depth system including a depth sensor configured tomeasure movement of the associated lowering device that facilitates thelowering of the head unit into the associated borehole during the datacollection phase.
 38. The borehole inspection device of claim 37 whereinthe depth sensor includes at least two pressure sensors, the at leasttwo pressure sensors including a first pressure sensor and a secondpressure sensor, the first pressure sensor being axially spaced abovethe second pressure sensor relative to the head axis by a pressuresensor spacing.
 39. The borehole inspection device of claim 37 whereinthe depth system further includes at least one of an accelerometer, analtimeter, and a rotary encoder.
 40. The borehole inspection device ofclaim 22 wherein the head unit includes a control system that include atleast one of an accelerometer, an altimeter, a pressure sensor and arotary encoder, the control system monitoring at least one of a headdepth and a head verticality of the head unit.
 41. The boreholeinspection device of claim 33 wherein the plurality of side sensorsincludes at least one of a plurality of sonar sensors, a plurality ofultrasonic sensors, a plurality of laser sensors, a plurality of opticalsensors, a plurality of sonar transducers, a plurality of RF transducersand a plurality of optical transducers.
 42. The borehole inspectiondevice of claim 22 wherein the at least one bottom sensor includes atleast one of a plurality of sonar sensors, a plurality of ultrasonicsensors, a plurality of laser sensors, a plurality of optical sensors, aplurality of sonar transducers, a plurality of RF transducers and aplurality of optical transducers.
 43. The borehole inspection device ofclaim 22 wherein the head unit includes at least one calibration sensorarrangement configured to at least one of measure a sensor arrangementdepth within the associated borehole, confirm the head depth, measure anassociated borehole fluid density of an associated borehole fluid, andmeasure a sensor wave speed of the at least one bottom sensor.